FOOTBALL: BYU preview

At a glance
Who: SDSU at BYU
What: The Aztecs will search for their first Mountain West Conference win against the No. 15 Cougars.
Where: LaVell Edwards Stadium
When: 11 a.m., Saturday
TV: The Mtn.
Radio: AM 600 KOGO (San Diego)
Live in-game blog: www.thedailyaztec.com

The big issue
As if losing to 3-6 Wyoming this past Saturday wasn’t bad enough, now the San Diego State football team has to travel to Provo, Utah — a place where it hasn’t won in the last three attempts — to play No. 15 BYU.

“We are going into a BYU game in Provo that is a big challenge for us,” head coach Chuck Long said. “They have running backs as big as our defensive line right now, which will be our challenge with matchups. All we can do as a coaching staff is to work hard. Our team is very coachable, and we’ll work hard this week to prepare for BYU.”

The Cougars have one of the best offenses in the nation, averaging 35.7 points and 446.4 total yards per game. With all the injuries to the defensive front this season, SDSU is making several roster changes that Long regrets having to make.

“As far as guys moving around (positions), we don’t like to do that, but we haven’t had much of a choice this year,” Long said. “Obviously, if you’re injured it impedes your progress.”

The latest injuries include a pair of sophomores — running back Brandon Sullivan and wide receiver Vincent Brown — as well as freshman defensive tackle J.J. Autele. Despite all the missing players, though, senior defensive back Corey Boudreaux isn’t giving up hope facing a top-15 team.

“Regardless of what everyone thinks on the outside, it’s not about (them),” Boudreaux said. “It’s about this team and how we can stay together and do the best we can.”

Key Matchups
When the Aztecs have the ball: Despite rushing for only 27 yards on nine carries this past Saturday against Wyoming, junior running back Atiyyah Henderson  (above left) will be the key to success against BYU. The Aztecs are averaging a nation-worst 25:07 time of possession per game, but if Henderson can get going, it will keep a potent Cougar offense on the sidelines. When Henderson rushes for more than 100 yards, the team has possessed the ball for nearly four more minutes than its season average.

“We’ve got a lot of competitors that like to play up to our opponents’ levels,” redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Lindley said. “Playing a team like this is another opportunity to go out and play guys who have shown they can win.”

The Cougars have allowed 131.3 rushing yards per game this season, but senior linebacker David Nixon (above right) will have to be blocked if SDSU wants to have that same success. Nixon leads the team in tackles for a loss with nine and is fourth on the team with 53 total tackles. The 6-foot-3-inch, 223-pound backer even leads BYU in interceptions, tallying two on the season.

When the Cougars have the ball: How good is BYU’s offense? Running back Harvey Unga is fourth in the Mountain West Conference with 820 rushing yards and he isn’t even the best player in the Cougars’ backfield. Heisman hopeful Max Hall (below right) is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, and the Aztecs have to stop him if they want any shot at pulling off the upset victory. Hall is seventh in the nation with 2,753 passing yards and is tied for fourth in the country with 29 touchdown passes.

“Their quarterback definitely knows how to run the offense,” Boudreaux said. “He’s crisp and knows what he’s doing ... It’s going to be a challenge for us, but we’re ready for anything.”

SDSU’s pass defense has been one of the few bright spots for an Aztec squad giving up 35.7 points per game this year. The team is allowing just 178.2 yards through the air and has compiled six picks on the season. Junior cornerback Aaron Moore (below left), who scored a touchdown on an interception return against San Jose State earlier this year, will have to make some plays to slow down a powerful BYU passing attack

Prime Numbers

	SDSU	Brigham Young University
Record	1-8, 0-5 MWC	8-1, 4-1 MWC
Pass yards per game	230.8	314.6
Rush yards per game	65.9	161.9
Total yards per game	296.7	446.4
Pass yards against per game	178.2	212.6
Rush yards against per game	292.8	131.3
Total yards against per game	471	343.9

Aztec injury report
Defensive Tackle Ryan WIlliams:
Head (Out)
Defensive Tackle Ernie Lawson:
Ankle (Questionable)
Running Back Davon Brown:
Shoulder (Questionable)
Wide Receiver Mekell Wesley:
Back (Questionable)
Quarterback Drew Westling:
Foot (Questionable)
Wide Receiver Vincent Brown:
Head (Questionable)
Defensive Tackle J.J. Autele:
Knee (Questionable)
Running Back Brandon Sullivan:
Ankle (Questionable)
Corner Back Jose Perez:
Shoulder (Probable)
Quarterback Ryan Lindley:
Shoulder (Probable)

Forecasting the mountain

Editor’s note: Each week, The Daily Aztec will pick the winners of every Mountain West Conference game.

THURSDAY, NOV. 6       
No. 12 TCU at No. 8 Utah
   
SATURDAY, NOV. 8
San Diego State at No. 15 BYU, Colorado State at Air Force, New Mexico at UNLV, Wyoming at Tennessee

Name: Edward Lewis (44–15)
Title: Sports Editor
Prediction: BYU, Utah, Air Force, New Mexico, Tennessee
Quotable:  “The spread for this SDSU game is 37 points. Seriously, 37.”

Name: David Pope (45–14)
Title: Assistant Sports Editor
Prediction: BYU, Utah, Air Force, New Mexico, Tennessee
Quotable: “My record is irrelevant. What’s important is that The Daily Azkickers are 1-0 in intramural dodgeball.”

Name: Eric Shannon (47–12)
Title: Managing Editor
Prediction: BYU, TCU, Air Force, New Mexico, Tennessee
Quotable: “Another undefeated week for me last time … when is my victory parade?”

Name: Glenn Connelly (39–20)
Title: Assistant Photo Editor
Prediction: BYU, TCU, Air Force, New Mexico, Tennessee
Quotable: “SDSU beating BYU in Provo would be the only thing to make this season not a complete and utter failure ... so basically failure is looking pretty good right about now.”